Talented filly Scorched Earth will be racing for a trip to Queensland and the Magic Millions Carnival when she runs at Flemington.
The John Moloney-trained daughter of Nicconi will be having her first start since mid-September when she contests the G.H. Mumm Christmas Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.
A $90,000 yearling purchase at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast in 2020, Scorched Earth has already recouped that initial outlay by garnering more than $285,000 in prize money.
Scorched Earth travelled to Murray Bridge in February to collect the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) before returning to Victoria to claim the Listed St Albans Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
She had three runs in the spring, starting off with a placing in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before contesting the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) at The Valley and the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield.
Moloney said Scorched Earth was entered for the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 15 although he was favouring starting her in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares (1300m).
“I’ll have a look at her after Saturday, but she is in the Magic Millions,” Moloney told RSN.
“The timing is there to get up there, but we’ll see how she races, have a chat with Damien (Oliver) and get some ideas after that.”
Moloney said Scorched Earth had settled in well to her new surrounds at Cranbourne and had trialled well at the course in preparation for her return.
And Moloney believes the straight 1000m course won’t hold any fears for the filly.
“I’m very happy with her,” Moloney said.
“She’s stronger, she did a good jump-out at Cranbourne last week.
“At Caulfield, where they have run them (jump-outs) from the 1200 (metres) and in a straight line she’s pretty good, but sometimes it can be a bit difficult going down the straight the first time.
“I think the real racy one can flatten out a bit late, but I think, at a controlled speed, she’ll be fine.”
